Never went to the military. Went to a military college in hopes to be a second lieutenant after basic but it never worked out. Playing football in college caused me to injure my left knee. Back then they would just remove all the torn and not torn cartilage and I couldn't pass the physical or that was what they told me, but it was 1972 and things were winding down in Vietnam.
Thank you for sharing your story with me. It's fascinating how life takes these unexpected turns like the knee injury that altered your path. The military's medical standards in 1972 closed one door. Did other doors open in ways you couldn't have anticipated at the time?
I don't want this to turn into a political rabbit hole, but *favor* seemed to mimick the unpopular word *privilege* and how it can become an advantage, intentioned or not.
You've touched on an interesting distinction worth exploring.
"Favor" as I'm discussing it differs from "privilege" in several key ways. While both can result in advantage, favor tends to be more episodic and personal—specific moments of unexpected blessing or opportunity that appear along our path. It's often recognized in retrospect, as my Marine Corps story illustrates.
Privilege, as commonly used today, typically refers to systematic advantages embedded in social structures that benefit certain groups consistently over time. It's more about starting position than unexpected intervention. Like the joke about the guy born on third base thinking he hit a triple.
What I find fascinating about favor is its democratic nature. Favor can appear in anyone's life regardless of background or circumstance. It often follows alignment with our authentic purpose rather than predetermined categories. My exploration focuses on recognizing these moments of favor when they appear and using them wisely rather than taking them for granted.
I appreciate you bringing up this nuance. It helps clarify an important distinction in how we think about the unexpected good things that come our way.
Thank you, Larry, for always adding richness to the conversation.
I enjoyed the analogy about being "born" at third base and the runner thinking he earned that spot. It's almost like the extra innings rule now in baseball with a runner starting at second base at the beginning of the inning.
What an awesome story David. I do believe that your guardian angels must’ve tapped on the shoulder of your jr. Drill Instructor, whispered in his ear that you’d be super presidential guards. Your journey in the Marines is and was important, and nothing as irrelevant as a typhoid shot would be allowed to roadblock your path.
I also melted into a bit of a puddle at the image of your grandson’s shoes in the middle of the way. Both my daughters have a habit of setting their things down on every surface in the house when they visit, and I miss it now that they don’t live with me any more.
love the story about the shoes...sometimes the annoying is just the thing you love the most.
Delighted you enjoyed it. I learned something about myself as I wrote it. 🙏🏻
Never went to the military. Went to a military college in hopes to be a second lieutenant after basic but it never worked out. Playing football in college caused me to injure my left knee. Back then they would just remove all the torn and not torn cartilage and I couldn't pass the physical or that was what they told me, but it was 1972 and things were winding down in Vietnam.
Thank you for sharing your story with me. It's fascinating how life takes these unexpected turns like the knee injury that altered your path. The military's medical standards in 1972 closed one door. Did other doors open in ways you couldn't have anticipated at the time?
Mostly just normal life decisions. Good and not as good but nothing really bad.
Great stuff, as usual.
I don't want this to turn into a political rabbit hole, but *favor* seemed to mimick the unpopular word *privilege* and how it can become an advantage, intentioned or not.
You've touched on an interesting distinction worth exploring.
"Favor" as I'm discussing it differs from "privilege" in several key ways. While both can result in advantage, favor tends to be more episodic and personal—specific moments of unexpected blessing or opportunity that appear along our path. It's often recognized in retrospect, as my Marine Corps story illustrates.
Privilege, as commonly used today, typically refers to systematic advantages embedded in social structures that benefit certain groups consistently over time. It's more about starting position than unexpected intervention. Like the joke about the guy born on third base thinking he hit a triple.
What I find fascinating about favor is its democratic nature. Favor can appear in anyone's life regardless of background or circumstance. It often follows alignment with our authentic purpose rather than predetermined categories. My exploration focuses on recognizing these moments of favor when they appear and using them wisely rather than taking them for granted.
I appreciate you bringing up this nuance. It helps clarify an important distinction in how we think about the unexpected good things that come our way.
Thank you, Larry, for always adding richness to the conversation.
I enjoyed the analogy about being "born" at third base and the runner thinking he earned that spot. It's almost like the extra innings rule now in baseball with a runner starting at second base at the beginning of the inning.
The extra innings rule in baseball? Now you’re talking controversial! 😉
This is the first time I’ve read/listened to a Marlow Musing. You have a great voice and read your stuff wonderfully.
Thank you, Teri! I’m glad you enjoyed it and hope you’ll listen in again.
Great and warming story about how we prepare ourselves for favorvto be bestowed upon us
Thank you, Jennifer. Favor bestowed indeed. 🙏🏻
What an awesome story David. I do believe that your guardian angels must’ve tapped on the shoulder of your jr. Drill Instructor, whispered in his ear that you’d be super presidential guards. Your journey in the Marines is and was important, and nothing as irrelevant as a typhoid shot would be allowed to roadblock your path.
I also melted into a bit of a puddle at the image of your grandson’s shoes in the middle of the way. Both my daughters have a habit of setting their things down on every surface in the house when they visit, and I miss it now that they don’t live with me any more.